In the hall, at the first table, sat Sir Ralph Blackstone, steward; the comptroller, Mr. Holland; the secretary; the master of the Horse, Mr. Dolowar; the master of the Fish-ponds, Mr. Andrews; my Lord Herbert’s preceptor, Mr. Adams; with such gentlemen as came there under the degree of a knight, attended by footmen, and plentifully served with wine. At the second table in the hall (served from my Lord’s table, and with other hot meats) sat the sewer, with the gentlemen waiters and pages, to the number of twenty-four. At the third table, in the hall, sat the clerk of the kitchen, with the yeomen officers of the house, two grooms of the chamber, &c. Other officers of the household were, chief auditor, Mr. Smith; clerk of the accounts, George Whithorn; purveyor of the castle Mr. Salisbury; ushers of the hall, Mr. Moyle and Mr. Cooke; closet-keeper; gentleman of the chapel, Mr. Davies; keeper of the records; master of the wardrobe; master of the armoury; master grooms of the stable for the war-horses, twelve; master of the hounds; master falconer; porter and his man. Two butchers; two keepers of the home-park; two keepers of the red-deer park. Footmen, grooms, and other menial servants, to the number of 150. Some of the footmen were brewers and bakers. Out Officers: Steward of Raglan, William Jones, Esq.; the governor of Chepstow Castle, Sir Nicholas Kemys, Bart.; housekeeper of Worcester-house in London, James Redman, Esq.; thirteen Bailiffs; two counsel for the bailiffs to have recourse to; solicitor, Mr. John Smith. {222} The Romans constructed their roads with large masses of stone closely layed together: each piece was often six or seven feet long and carefully squared. The road to Caerwent, formed on such a foundation, though passing through a low swampy country, is observed to be uncommonly compact and dry. Thus the utility of that once great people’s work is transmitted through the constant wear of fifteen centuries; and excites the admiration of even our own enlightened age. {236} Camden’s Britannia, p. 714, ed. 1722. {238} About half a mile from the shore is a rocky islet called Charston rock, much esteemed for the durability of its stone: it has lately been employed in the lower part of the piers of Newport-bridge. {244} The stone coffin, containing the remains of St. Theodoric, was discovered some time since: upon removing the lid, the skeleton appeared perfectly entire, except a large fracture on the skull, which probably occasioned the death of the hero. {251a} Owing to a neglect of the roof, the upper stories of the building were swimming with water, and perishing very fast. It is to be hoped, that before this the Duke of Beaufort’s agents have looked to their charge, and adopted proper means to prevent the entire loss of a useful habitation, and an interesting remnant of antiquity. {251b} Southey’s Poems, p. 378.